Seattle (SEA) to Detroit (DTW): On-Time Performance
Data through July 2026
Seattle (SEA) to Detroit (DTW) effectively runs on two schedules. In October 2024, 94% of arrivals were on time; in July 2024 that fell to 69% — a 25-point seasonal swing. Across the full period the route averages 84% on-time against a national 78%.
- On-time
- 84%
- arrived <15 min late
- Avg delay
- 9 min
- completed flights
- Cancelled
- 0.7%
- Flights/day
- 5.6
- last 12 months
- Duration
- 4h 19m
- scheduled
- Distance
- 1,927 mi
Best airline from SEA to DTW
2 airlines flew this route regularly between 2024-07 and 2026-07.
| Airline | On-time | Avg delay | Cancelled | Flights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Linesmost reliable | 86% | 9 min | 0.9% | 3,236 |
| Alaska Airlines | 80% | 9 min | 0.3% | 1,110 |
Monthly on-time trend
Best time to fly from SEA to DTW
Aim for departures around 6 a.m. (94% on-time); avoid 10 a.m. departures (66%).
By day of week
| Day | On-time | Avg delay |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 85% | 10 min |
| Tuesdaybest | 89% | 7 min |
| Wednesday | 86% | 9 min |
| Thursday | 83% | 10 min |
| Friday | 84% | 11 min |
| Saturday | 83% | 9 min |
| Sunday | 82% | 10 min |
What causes delays on this route
Share of total delay minutes by cause, as reported by carriers to the US DOT.
- Late-arriving aircraft32%
- Airline operations49%
- National airspace system16%
- Weather2%
Frequently asked questions
- How often are flights from SEA to DTW delayed?
- 16% of SEA–DTW flights arrived 15 or more minutes late (the US DOT definition of a delay) between 2024-07 and 2026-07. The average arrival delay across completed flights was 9 minutes.
- Which airline is most reliable from SEA to DTW?
- Delta Air Lines has the best on-time record on this route at 86%, based on 3,236 flights. 2 airlines flew SEA–DTW frequently enough to compare in this period.
- What is the best time of day to fly from SEA to DTW?
- Departures around 6 a.m. have the best record (94% on-time), while departures around 10 a.m. have the worst (66%). As on most US routes, delays accumulate through the day, so earlier flights are generally safer.
- How long is the flight from SEA to DTW?
- The scheduled SEA–DTW flight time averages 4h 19m over 1,927 miles. Actual arrival times vary — flights on this route land 15+ minutes late 16% of the time.
- How often are SEA to DTW flights cancelled?
- 0.7% of scheduled flights on this route were cancelled between 2024-07 and 2026-07, at or below the national rate of 1.6%.
- What is the worst month to fly from SEA to DTW?
- July 2024 was the roughest month in this dataset, with only 69% of arrivals on time. The best was October 2024 at 94%. If your dates are flexible, that 25-point gap is worth planning around.
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Based on 4,346 flights, 2024-07–2026-07. Source: US DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated 2026-09-28.